Venas News would like to share inspiring story of a Kenyan who started an online shop like Jumia without capital.
I am a 28-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur. I currently run an online shop in Nairobi and I want to share my story to aspiring entrepreneurs.
In 2013, I completed a degree in Business Management from Moi University. After obtaining my certificate, I moved to Nairobi to look for employment.
My first stop was in Donholm, to live with my uncle, who used to work for Equity Bank. After I settled, I started sending my CV to various organizations, as other graduates. I sent several applications, at least 200.Two months elapsed, three, four, five until one year was over—no company was willing to employ me.After I realized I could die poor, I decided to go myself to companies to beg for any job available, even preparing tea. I started with Equity Bank, which I knew was employing fresh graduates. One morning as I arrived at Equity offices in Upper Hill, the secretary asked me,”hey?How can I help you?”
“I want to see James Mwangi”, I replied.
She laughed until I saw her molars. I started doubting myself, asking whether I was in the wrong place. She told me, “if you are looking for a job, just leave your CV here and we shall call you. Resigned, I dropped my CV into a box that was bearing 10,000 other CVs.
Determined, my next stop was Jumia, but this happened after my heart had settled from the previous incident. I waited until it was 10 am then I took Forward Travellers matatu to town.In donholm, Forward Travellers charge Ksh 10 as from 10 am. I went straight to Jumia, where I left my CV-this time I feared asking them to let me talk to the CEO.
After three weeks, I received a call from Jumia asking if I would be willing to work as a sales representative. I gladly said ‘yes’ and accompanied my answer with, “thank you so much”.
At Jumia, I learnt few things that led to the realization of my dream. That was the time I realized that most of the products displayed on the company’s website are not owned by Jumia.
After a short stint at Jumia,I decided to launch my WooCommerce website, which cost me Ksh 10,000, the cost of a website template plus domain hosting.
My first hurdle was how to launch my business. Since I knew the trick Jumia, Kilimall and other popular online sites use especially when they don’t have enough capital to inject into business, I decided to employ the same. The first thing I did was to write a business plan-It was easier for me to do design it because I had pursued a business related course in campus.
After I completed writing my business plan, I approached a company located along Mombasa Road and presented the plan.
While I was waiting for the response from the company, I decided to approach various banks that offer asset financing .Unfortunately, the banks declined my request, so I remained with the electronics company.
One week after I had submitted my business proposal, I called the sales manager requesting I meet her in person. She agreed I go to the office. I knew if she rejected my request, the dream of owning an online shop would be shattered. The following morning we met, I explained to her about my financial position but told her about my superior marketing strategies. After hearing my case, she told me she would discuss with the boss and respond to me promptly.
The following morning she told me to go the office and make some agreement. In the agreement, I was to be given a list of products on their store, I place them on my website and when a customer calls to buy the product, I would rush to the company, collect the product and sell it.The company would take 30 % of the profit.
After I launched my website and marketed it on social media and on popular sites in Kenya, clients started calling, inquiring about the products on the site…and that’s how I started the business.
I have realized over time that capital is a scapegoat for many entrepreneurs, but if you have an idea, even if you have zero capital your idea can become a reality- what is needed of you is how best to execute the idea.
